Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today launched a statewide petition to support the reduction of daylight saving by one month.
Wednesday, 5 October 2016
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today launched a statewide petition to help bring the daylight saving period to an end a month earlier each year, supporting a Private Members Bill introduced in State Parliament recently.
Mr Marshall and his state colleagues want as many signatories as they can muster for the move to bring the clocks back by a month each daylight saving period and they’re counting on more country people to back their protest with their names.
The petition is designed to show a countrywide support about the move and trigger a debate in the Legislative Assembly.
The Standard Time Amendment (Daylight Saving Period Reduction) Bill – was introduced in the State’s Upper House last month.
If successful, the legislation will bring the end of daylight saving forward one month, from the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in March each year. The change would take effect for the upcoming daylight saving period
Mr Marshall has launched the petition on the back of support from other country MPs.
“There is wide support for this move, particularly in country areas, and the petition is designed to demonstrate to city MPs the strength of that support,” Mr Marshall said.
“Typically a petition would aim to get 10,000 signatures to trigger debate, but with this petition, we’re after as many names as we can get. It’s about getting as many signatures as possible to back our case, and promote the Bill before parliament.
“We need to show city people that we have widespread support for this bill. We want to show people in the city that this is not a stunt. This is not a joke. This is a serious issue for people in the bush.
“It’s not about ending daylight saving, which is a passionate subject for many people. This is purely about ending it just one month earlier. Across country NSW many people agree that the last month is just a pain; it drags on too long.”
Mr Marshall said the issue of daylight saving being too long was more intense and strongest in the northern stretches of his electorate, near the Queensland border where it was confusing and difficult to do business and live life with two time zones for so long.
Petitions are available at Mr Marshall’s electorate offices in Armidale and Moree and form every local council across the Northern Tablelands. As well, individuals can obtain petition forms from Mr Marshall if they want to back the clock crusade.